Life

Alexander Apostolidis was born in 1963 in the city of Veria in Greek Macedonia in northern Greece. He studied at the Theological Faculty of the University of Thessalonica, receiving a Master's degree in 1995 and a Doctor of Theology degree in 2002.

Alexander entered the Holy Orders in 1983 when he was ordained a deacon and was given the name Paul. Later that year he was ordained a priest. Father Paul was elevated to the dignity of archimandrite in 1988. He was appointed abbot of the Monastery of Panagia Sumela.